Don’t ghost the costume contest – Halloween fun wraps up Oct. 31 in downtown Knoxville
The Downtown Knoxville Alliance reminds residents and visitors that there’s still time to enter the Wicked Cool costume contest before Halloween night. Whether you’re spooky, sweet or somewhere in between, downtown Knoxville is the place to be to show off your costume and win prizes from local businesses.
To enter, snap a photo in costume with downtown Knoxville as your backdrop. Suggested photo spots are marked throughout the city center, but visitors can get creative so long as the backdrop is recognizably downtown Knoxville. Submit photos at: downtownknoxville.org/wicked/
Participants can compete in eight categories: best couple, cutest, best family, best group (themed), best Hollywood/Broadway-themed, best kid(s), best pet and scariest.
“We’ve seen incredible creativity so far and we know there’s more to come,” said Michele Hummel, executive director of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance. “Whether you’re dressing up solo, with your family, or even your pet, we invite everyone to join the fun and show off their Halloween spirit.”
More than $500 in gift cards will be awarded. Winners will be announced on Downtown Knoxville Alliance’s Facebook, Instagram and X accounts by Friday, Nov. 7.
The costume contest is part of the Wicked Cool Halloween celebration, which continues through Oct. 31 and includes:
- Trick-or-treating on Market Square: Businesses on Market Square and along Union Avenue between Gay and Walnut streets will hand out candy from 4-8 p.m. on Oct. 31. Participating businesses will have a large “candy corn cone” out front. Participants can pick up a free trick-or-treat bag on Market Square (while supplies last) in front of the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center located between Not Watson’s and Kabuki.
- Games and character entertainment: On Halloween, trick-or-treaters can enjoy fun activities like cornhole and Jenga, plus meet a magical lineup of characters including Glinda and Elphaba (“Wicked”), Tiana, Rapunzel, Batman, Spider-Man, Super Girl, Wednesday Addams, the Sanderson Sisters (“Hocus Pocus”), Mulan, and Aurora (“Sleeping Beauty”).
- Wicked Cool Cats scavenger hunt: Search for nine mysterious black cats hiding in downtown business windows through Oct. 31. Scan the QR code on the cats to register to win gift cards from some of downtown Knoxville’s most wicked businesses. The cats can be found in the Old City, along Gay Street and in Market Square. Download a clue sheet at downtownknoxville.org/wicked/
coolcats. - Spellbinding sips, snacks and shopping: Through Oct. 31, enjoy themed treats, spooky drinks and “boo-tiques” inside downtown shops, bars and restaurants to discover a haunted hoard of Halloween delights.
- Wicked walks and photo ops: Market Square has been transformed with glowing ghosts and enchanting lights. Watch out for the giant spider in Krutch Park. Downtown Knoxville will be filled with spooky photo ops and playful frights. Take a stroll and uncover hidden Halloween surprises scattered throughout the district. Download a printable map with all the photo op locations and upload pictures at downtownknoxville.org/wicked/
wicked-walks or post to social media with the hashtag #KnoxHalloween.
For a complete list of activities, visit downtownknoxville.org/wicked/
About the Downtown Knoxville Alliance
Ensuring a vibrant, flourishing downtown is the primary mission of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance (DKA). Formed in 1993 as a Central Business Improvement District (CBID), the district encompasses a 0.67-square-mile area and is supported by a special assessment to property owners that is used to make improvements, enhance services and promote downtown. The DKA continually focuses on attracting and retaining a thriving community of residents, businesses and visitors in Downtown Knoxville. For more information, visit downtownknoxville.org.
Ensuring a vibrant, flourishing downtown is the primary mission of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance (DKA). Formed in 1993 as a Central Business Improvement District (CBID), the district encompasses a 0.67-square-mile area and is supported by a special assessment to property owners that is used to make improvements, enhance services and promote downtown. The DKA continually focuses on attracting and retaining a thriving community of residents, businesses and visitors in Downtown Knoxville. For more information, visit downtownknoxville.org.
